'Bout Stuff and Whatever…

Tag Archives: machete

So. yeah…This week hadn’t been the greatest for me. I haven’t worked at all and I’ve been kinda bummed about that. I felt a little better after going to the movies Thursday. And Friday I thought I’d try to do something creative. Actually, I’d fallen asleep listening to NPR, then I decided to stop being so lazy and try to do something creative. So, it’s around um…after 5pm and I thought I’d get some beer and run back in the house.

As I left my apartment, I noticed policemen lounging around in the hallway on my floor. They told me to take the stairs and I saw firemen in stairwell, so I dunno…I guess there’s something wrong with the elevators. Whatever. When I got to the ground floor, I asked the doorman what was going on. He said something like, “Oh, we got a tenant…” and trailed off. I then assumed either maybe someone called the cops cuz the guy in there was drunk or maybe he’d been evicted and didn’t want to go. Whatever.

So, I went to the liquor store, got my beer, and walked home. As I approached my building, a female detective told me I couldn’t go any further. I said, “Oh, I just live right there in that building.” She said, “Well, that’s where the problem is,” and ushered me and a couple of other people across the street. Then the loose rumors started. What’s going on? Someone’s gone crazy? Someone’s got a gun? Guns? Fuuck…

The police then told us to move further down the street and started to section off the area with yellow tape. Maybe it WAS getting serious? It’s a hostage situation, evidently. The older guy who lives on my floor, supposedly, he’s got a gun and a girl in his room and he won’t come out. I know the guy and usually he’s kinda low-key unless he’s drunk, so I figured the police would talk him down and we’ll get to go inside shortly.

While I was lending against the wall waiting a woman walked up to me and asked what was going on. I told her and we got to talking. Then some crazy dude walked up to us saying, “Move along! Good day!” He had to say it twice for me to realize that he was talking to me. He told me to stop messing with his wife. He walked her away and I heard him say,”I know him, he’s a hype.” I said, “Dude, you don’t know me!” He continued walking and said, “Good day!” I replied, “No! Good day to you!” The male detective who was standing in front of the yellow tape smirked at the lameness of this confrontation. Not long after, the police told those of still standing there to move even further down to the end of the block. It definitely was getting serious.

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I see yellow police tape and the entire street blocked off and cops are standing around with automatic rifles, I assume the situation is not trivial. It’s funny how many people were miffed cuz the police told approaching people they had to either wait or go around the block. Can’t I just go over there? No, it’s very dangerous situation! Tsk! How inconvenient!

After awhile the temperature started to drop and the sun began to sink. I stood by another woman who lived in my building and we talked for a moment. She shared her coffee with me and also offered me a sip from her half pint (rum I think). I told her I’d be cool with the beer I bought but thanked her for the offer. Some people began to wonder aloud why the police didn’t just charge in the room and get the guy. It’s also funny how the rumors and stories started to circulate. Some people were saying a man shot someone and ran into the building. Some were saying that he was shot in the leg and ran into the building. The best one was that he had a bomb.

Eventually, the police slowly began to take down the yellow tape and told us that we could pass. When I entered the lobby, the building management told us to wait before we went on the fifth floor because the cops used tear gas to get the man out and it would take a little awhile to air out the hallway.

Apparently, what happened was that it was the old army vet that lives on my floor. He hadn’t been taking his medication, however, he was getting high with a couple of girls. He thought one of them stole something from him and wouldn’t let them leave. Turns out he didn’t have a gun, although he did have a machete and knives. Reportedly, he was throwing the knives at the inside of the door when the police were here. When they got tired of trying to negotiate, the police used tear gas on him. They took dude to the hospital. I’m not sure what all the formal charges will be.

So, I guess that’s it. Originally, I was going to write about seeing that movie The Master and some other random stuff, but yeah…shit got wild for a minute…

Greetings from the home of B.B King, Elvis, and Jerry Lee Lewis! The tempature was in the 30’s when I got here. I’m doing back flips cuz that’s literally almost 40 degrees warmer than the weather I left. I’m not on my own computer, this is my aunt’s and she a little particular about how long I stay on so this might be a short entry.

When I was waiting for the bus out of town, I saw an Amish family waiting at the station. Nothing crazy happened or anything, just not something I’m used to seeing in downtown Chicago.

When picking up my ticket, I had to show not only my ID but also the credit card I used to pay for it online. Not that it was a gigantic hassle or anything, but it’s like, the ticket’s paid for…you got your money…what do you care if I got the credit card or not?

I know I’m WAAAY behind the loop, but I wasn’t aware that Vanilla Ice had a reality show where he renovates houses. Vanilla Ice? Flippin’ houses? When did this happen? But I ain’t mad at him. Go make your money, Rob.

Machete: I finally got around to watching this movie and I have to say I was a little disappointed. It wasn’t pointed or funny enough to work as parody/satire and not visceral enough to …you don’t know this, but I been gone almost two hours. I’ve been outside raking leaves, RAKING LEAVES! I was prepared to do almost any other household chores besides yard work. I’m out of shape and I’m pooped!Anyway…to work as a straight B-Movie action flick. I have to say I had a lot more fun with Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

Lemmy: A documentry about the frontman of seminal heavy metal band Motorhead. Although fun and entertaining for me, it didn’t uncover much about Lemmy Kilmester’s personal life. I did learn that he has two adult sons. I’m not surprised by that fact (Lemmy’s in his 60’s), but I didn’t know. The film is mainly various people saying “Yeah, Lemmy’s awesome.” My take on his appeal/charisma/legendhood is this: while Lemmy seems to be a genuinely down to earth nice guy, he is also this larger than life symbol of hard rock. Whatever you think you like about punk rock/heavy metal/classic rock/biker outlaws you can see in it Lemmy. Also, he’s way past the age other folks would have given up this lifestyle if they were doing it just to be cool. Lemmy is a lifer.

Ok, my aunt made some schrimp and feticcini with cheese sauce yesterday (yum!). I’m gonna get some left overs and then do the dishes. It’s in the upper 50’s some I’m gonna enjoy the sunshine as well. Take it easy.